The starting five for the Eastern Conference All-Star team will look a lot like it did last year—sub out Amare Stoudemire and insert teammate Carmelo Anthony, put him with repeat starters Derrick Rose at point guard, shooting guard Dwyane Wade, forward LeBron James and center Dwight Howard, and that’s your first unit.

After that? Well, coaches filling out their Eastern Conference rosters will have a tough time. They will have to pick two guards, two forwards, a center and two wildcards, and considering the goofy nature of this lockout-shortened season—and the abundance of injuries that has followed—there will be several worthy players left unrewarded. But there should also be some first-timers on board.

Guards

Joe Johnson, Hawks. For much of the last half-dozen years, Atlanta has been a pretty good team, and Johnson has been its best player. This year is no different, with Johnson averaging 19.1 points for a team that is in the mix at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Brandon Jennings, Bucks. Despite losing Andrew Bogut and getting little out of Stephen Jackson, the Bucks have been rolling lately, and it’s because of Jennings. His shot selection and play-making ability have both improved, and he is averaging a career-high 20.6 points while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from the 3-point line.

Forwards

Chris Bosh, Heat. Between the brilliance of LeBron James and the frequent injuries to Wade, it has been easy to overlook the fact that Bosh has reasserted himself as a member of Miami’s Big Three, providing consistently solid play on both ends. If the Heat get 20.4 points on 52.1 percent shooting out of him all year, they could nose out the Bulls for top seed in the conference.

Paul Pierce, Celtics. Pierce had a slow start because of a bad heel, but he has come on lately, especially in the absence of point guard Rajon Rondo. But in his last seven games, he has gone for 22.9 points, 7.7 assists and 6.4 rebounds, boosting his season average and bringing the Celtics back over .500.

Center

Roy Hibbert, Pacers. Hibbert’s ascent has been frustratingly slow for Pacers fans, but he has consistently hit the boards and scored in the post this year, finally showing his true potential. Hibbert is averaging 14.0 points and 9.8 rebounds, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field.

Wildcards

Ryan Anderson, Magic. Of the many problems that have emerged in Orlando this year, none can be blamed on the play of Anderson, who has proven to be the kind of “stretch” power forward who thrives in Stan Van Gundy’s offense. Anderson is averaging 16.5 points and shooting 43.2 percent from the 3-point line, and chipping in 7.1 rebounds.

Andre Iguodala, Sixers. It’s not that Iguodala has overwhelming stats—13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists. It’s more that he has been such a tone-setter for the most surprising team in the league, an outstanding defender who has given up his own numbers in order to make the Sixers that much better. He has earned his spot.

Who’s missing

Players like Rajon Rondo, Luol Deng and Al Horford might have had spots if not for injuries. It’s difficult to overlook Ray Allen’s 56.4 percent 3-point shooting, but he has become more of a pure catch-and-shoot player, and there are more versatile candidates out there. Danny Granger’s early struggles were too much to overlook, and the same could be said for Deron Williams, who is averaging 20.5 points but hasn’t played at an All-Star level. Two young guys who will be All-Stars for years—Greg Monroe and Kyrie Irving—got big consideration, too.